MEET 2024 NCHS HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE DARRY FINKTON, JR.
NCHS CLASS OF 2006
From Washington Township to the Ivy leagues, Darryl Finkton, Jr. embodies the Panther spirit in his passion for serving the community. Congratulations on this distinguished honor!
“ALWAYS TRY SOMETHING HARDER”
Today, Darryl Finkton, Jr. is an author, community organizer and graduate of both Harvard and Oxford Universities. While his achievements have taken him all over the globe, the foundation of his success began in the halls of North Central.
“The teachers at NC treated us like adults,” he said. “We had space to push back, ask questions and think critically.”
During his time at North Central, Darryl took advantage of the wide variety of AP programs, eager to learn all he could. But he didn’t just excel in the classroom. He was also a force to be reckoned with on the basketball court, playing under the leadership of Coach Doug Mitchell. He credits this time with instilling him with the belief that there was nothing he couldn’t achieve.
“Basketball was special,” he said. “Limitations are drastically lifted when you are faced with a challenge. You think, ‘What else can I accomplish?’”
That became Darryl’s motto as he graduated NCHS in 2006 and went on to attend Harvard University. There, he combined his achievements in the classroom with his success on the court, playing for the Harvard men’s basketball team while also earning a bachelor’s degree. Balancing athletics and academia is never easy… but Darryl had the practice.
“[At] NC, people… encouraged me to always try something harder.”
Darryl took this advice to heart, making the leap from Harvard to Oxford University. There, he earned his master’s degree while studying as a Rhodes Scholar.
Today, Darryl is focused on giving back to the community as a strong advocate for financial justice. In his book End Poverty. Make Trillions, Darryl shares his journey from humble beginnings to his present day success, and provides solutions for ensuring everyone has an opportunity to generate wealth.
After all he has accomplished, Darryl can’t help but think of all the people who helped get him to where he is today.
“I think about all the people that carried me,” he said. “My siblings, especially my sister who was two years ahead of me. My teachers went above and beyond for me. My coaches [who] saw something in me. I am glad to push love back out into the world with this honor.”
We are proud to induct Darryl Finkton, Jr., Class of 2006, into the North Central High School Hall of Fame!
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